William h



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM H. AKINS, OF BERKSHIRE, NEW YORK.

LOCK.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 14,848, dated May 13,1856; Reissued November 8, 1864, No. 1,806.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, VILLIAM H. AKINs, of Berkshire, in the county ofTioga and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvementin Locks for Doors, Safes, Banks, &c., of which the following is a full,clear, and exact description, reference being had to t-he accompanyingdrawing, in which- Figure 1 represents a front elevation of such of itsparts as are on the outside of the door, the latter being represented asbroken off. Fig. 2 represents an elevation of the; rear side of the lockas secured to the door, showing the bolt protruded into the recessA ofthe staple when locked, the bolt of the latter' being removed. Fig. 3represents a longitudinal section of the same taken through the line a@of Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 a view of Fig. 2 with the cap removed. Fig. 5represents a side elevation of the staple with the catch bolt inposition when the door is locked; and Fig. 6 a section of the same, buthaving the bolt raised for the purpose of opening the door from theinside. Fig. 7 represents a side elevation of the lock bolt and slotteddisks, showing their relative positions when the former is retracted tounlock the door; and Fig. 8 a plan of the under side of the lock andhorizontal section of the door taken through the line @a Fig. 2. AndFigs. 9, 10, 11, and 12, represent side elevations or plans of theslotted disks.

The object of my invention is to provide a lock for the prevention ofburglary, that, from its simplicity of construction and trifling costwill enable it to supersede the locks now in common use, it beingadapted as well to doors as to bank safes, and generally to all purposesfor which locks are used.

I am well aware that permutation locks have been heretofore used, havinga series of disks mounted upon collars each fitting over the other, theinner one of which is mounted upon a stationary neck or stud on which itis supported and worked. And I am also aware that upon the upper ends ofthese collars have been secured an index finger to each by which theycould all be so arranged that the slot or indentation in each disk wouldbe so placed that the lock bolt might be withdrawn from the staple so asto unlock the door. And I am likewise aware that the index number ofeach disk `experiments involving both time and labor to determine whatthe index number of the collar so changed then was. Such a lock as thisis at once costly, cumbersome and complicated, exceedingly liable to getout of order, and not at all adapted to common My invention consists inso arranging and combining a series of revolving slotted disks mountedupon a stationary neck or stud, that the slots of each shall beseverally set by each other in turn when properly operated upon` by afixed disk mounted upon a revolving shaft, so that the rear end of thelock bolt shall be free to enter the slots to permit the door to beunlocked, there being but one revolving graduated index necessary toadjust the Whole, and that secured to the revolving shaft. And itfurther relates to a new method of instantly discovering the variousnumbers by which the several disks must be set in order to arrange theirslots in. a line for the reception of the end of the bolt; and whichconsists in perforating each disk and fixed flange of the stud, at thesame angle to their slots, whereby by passing a pin through a hole inthe cap piece of the lock it shall enter the perforation of each in turnas their slots are respectively brought in a line with the end of thelock bolt. The number indicated on the graduated plate by the arrow-asthe pin enters a disk, being the number required to set it.

The advantages of such an arrangement will readily be perceived, as itenables the proprietor to change them as occasion should require,without being compelled to enter into a long series of experiments todetermine which are the proper ones to be used, thus saving both timeand labor.

As my lock when applied to doors of houses is not capable of beingunlocked from the inside because of its peculiar construction, I haveinvented a new staple or catch, whereby the door may be instantly openedwithout retracting the lock bolt; and then by the simple act of closingthe door locking it again. This feature constituting anot-her branch ofmy invention. My invention further relates to a method of misleadingthose who may be endeavoring to pick or unlock the door with burglariousintentions; and it consists in notchingone ofthe revolving disks, (but Iprefer the one next the stationary one as it is the last slotted disk tobe set), so that as itis caused to revolve in order to arrange the slotsof the others in a line with the bolt, it will prevent them fromdiscovering the exact moment when they are properly placed, as its teethwhile revolving will keep constantly striking against the inner end ofthe lock bolt; in this way deceiving them with the delusion that theslots have been properly arranged; and finally ca-use them to relaxtheir exertions vand vigilance through their frequent mistakes.

d To enable others skilled in the art to make, construct, and use myinvention, IA will now proceed to describe my improved lock more invdetail.

A represents a door, on the rear of which is secured by means of screws(a), one of my improved locks (B), upon t-he cap piece of which is casta small circular shaped project-ion (C), through a mortise in which isfirmly secured one end of a neck or stud (D) upon which are mounted aseries of revolving disks (c), between each of which and rigidlyconnected tothe stud is a flange (e) forming a support to the disks. Inall of which are cut a slot the flanges (e) being so arranged andsecured on the stud as that their slots shall always be in a line withthe end or tang of the lockbolt Through each of the disks (c), andflanges (e), as also through the projection (C) of the cap piece, ispierced a hole (m) at an equal distance from the shaft,`and in thisinstance in a line passing centrally between the sides of the slots anddiametrically through the axis of the stud, theslots being cut radiallytherewith, so that when the pin (I) is passed through these holes the'slots of each will be in a line with the end (n) of the bolt and it befree to enter as the door is unlocked. Through the disks are pierced aseries of holes for the ree ception of pins (0) which form adjustableclutches on both sides of the disks for a purpose to be hereafterdescribed. On the inner end of the journal (F) and which passes throughthe door (A) is firmly secured a disk (f), through which is pierced aseries of holes near its periphery, they being equidistant from andconcentric with the axis of the disks (c), and like them provided withan adjustable clutch pin Near this end of the shaft F between the backplate of the lock and the door is formed' a shoulder (72,) to preventits being withdrawn from the latter, or from pushing or Vpressing thedisk (f) against the disk c) more than is required to bring the clutchof the latter within the sphere of action of the clutch of the former;and to which it would otherwise be liable. Upon the outer end of theshaft (F) and which works in a bearing (f) secured to the outer side ofthe door, is secured a graduated plate (Gr) circular in form, on theperiphery of which is cut a series of notches and teeth near which isengraved the corresponding number, in this instance fifty in number asseen in Fig. 1 This plate is made to rotate with the shaft (F) asthelatter is turned by means of the key (H), the end of the former beingfiled to iit the latter for that purpose; by the regulating of thisplate with respect to the arrows or index (g) on the door the lock ismade to open. Through a mortiselin the door immediately under the lock(B) is passed the key shaft (K) and working in bea-rings (7c) on the outand inside of the door. To the inner end of this shaft is secured oneend of a lever (L), the other extending up through a mortise in the sideof the lock into a recess (S) formed on the underside of the lock bolt(E); which according to the direction in which the shaft (K) is turnedwill protrude or retract the bolt (E) to lock or unlock the door.

M represents a plate secured to the side frame of the door by means ofscrews, from which project three arms (N) having a mortise (w) throughtheir extremity for the reception of the catch bolt (P), the wholeforming the staplev into which the bolt is passed when the door islocked. By raising the catch bolt (P) as seen at Fig. 6, the door willbe free to open without retracting the lock bolt (E), the former beingheld in its raisedY position by a small pin pushed under it by means ofa spring (y) secured to the face of the plate (M), until the door isclosed again, when the lock bolt (E) will press the spring (y) back,withdrawing the pin from under the cat-ch (P), which will then drop downthroughthe mortise in each. arm and lock the door, as seen at Fig. 5.from being withdrawn altogether from the arms (N) a. small pin (zo) ispassed through it, between the two upper arms (N) to limit its range ofmotion. Y

I-Iaving described my improved lock in detail VI will now proceed togive a descrip`v tion of its operation assuming for the sake ofillustration the numbers for arranging the slots of the disks (c), ofwhich there are three, to be 48, 9-1- and 32g respectively, these beingthe numbers as the model is at present adjusted, 3271,- representing thedisk next the cap of the lock, 912- the middle one, and 48 y'the one.next thefxed ,disk (f) on" the re?I To prevent the catch volving shaftThe shaft (F) upon the inner end of which is secured the disk (f) isfirst caused to revolve in the direction of the arrow shown in red Fig.l, until the clutch (u) strikes against the clutch pin (0) of the firstrevolving disk (c), then continuing on until the other end of the clutchof the latter comes in contact with the head of the clutch pin of thesecond disk, carrying it around until its clutch in turn strikes againstthe head of that of the third disk; when if there be but three of theseslotted disks, the party will then be in a condition to arrange the slotof the third one in a line with the slots of the flanges (e) and that ofthe inner end (n) of the tongue (E), for which purpose he will continueturning the shaftaround in the same direction until the number on theplate (G), is brought exactly opposite the point of the arrow (g), whenhe must immediately stop; he then reverses the motion of the shaftcausing it to revolve backward twice, to bring the clutches of the disk(f) and first disk together, on the. other side of the clutch of thesecond disk, when he will continue it around until the number 9-1- isbrought opposite the point of the arrow (g), when the slot of the seconddisk will also be set; the motion of the shaft (F) is again reversed andcaused to describe one revolution, when the clutch of the disk f willagain have been brought around to the other side of the clutch (0) onthe first disk (c), which will then be turned around until the number 48on the plate (G) is opposite the arrow (g), when its slot like theothers will be in a line with the tang of t-he lock bolt (E) and it befree to enter, as the shaft K is turned to unlock the door. In adjustingthe second disk after the first disk (that is the disk next the cappiece (C) of the lock) is set, the motion of the shaft is immediatelyreversed, as if not the slot would be carried past the bolt; and causedto revolve twice before setting the second, for this reason that itrequires one revolution of the disk and clutch to bring it on the otherside of the clutch (o) of the disk (c) next it, and another revolutionto bring the clutch of the disk (c) on the other side of the clutch (0)of the second disk (c) when the slot of the latter can then be set; andso in adjusting the next disk (c) only that it requires but onerevolution of the disk (f) to bring its clutch on the right side of theclutch of the firstdisk to set it.

It is not essential that the clutch (u) should be attached to the diskas the same object may be effected through the medium of an arm with theclutch (u) attached to it. But I prefer the former inasmuch as I amenabled to get a vast amount of changes of numbers through it, by havingit perforated with a series of holes, and the clutch adjustable, wherebyby moving it from one hole to another, the whole numbers to adjust theslots, would be changed each time in every disk. These can still furtherbe changed so that they can be multiplied almost indefinitely, inasmuchas each revolving disk may if desired be pierced with a series of holes,which by the mere changing of the adjustable clutch, as in the formercase from` one hole into another, if the disk should happen to be theone next the fixed one would also alter the numbers of all the othersrespectively. And so on with t-he other disks with this exception thatany change of the clutch of the second disk from one hole to anotherwould only involve a change in the number of itself and those diskssucceeding it; and the next in the same way until the clutch of the lastone was changed which would simply effect its own number. And it is hereto be observed that the disks may be set so that the door can beunlocked by turning the shaft (K) in the first instance in the oppositedirection to that which I have just now described, but in that case thesame numbers would not answer. The correct ones however it is an easymatter to discover as by taking the pin and inserting it into the holeof the cap (C) and exerting a slight pressure against it as you turn theshaft (K) in the direction of which you desire to find the numbers, itwill the moment the whole aperture (m) is brought opposite to theaperture of the projection'(C) pass into it, and stop the furtherprogress of the shaft in that direction, the number indicated by thearrow (g) on the plate (Gr) at this point will be the required numberfor that disk. The motion of the shaft (F) is-then reversed until theaperture of the second disk like that of the first is opposite the pinwhich is then pressed into it, and the motion of the shaft in thatdirection arrested, the number indicated on the plate (G) being therequired number for this disk. The number of the third being found inthe same manner, by simply reversing the motion of the shaft until thepin passes through its aperture, as in the case of the others, thenumbers thus found in this instance being 23%, 165-, and 45.

It will now readily be perceived that my lock cannot be opened from theinside, but by raising the catch bolt (P) the door may be opened withoutretracting the lock bolt (E), and locked again by the closing of thedoor as the bolt (E) having pressed the pin from under the catch (P), bypressing against the spring (y) thus permitting it to drop in place.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is- 1. So arranging a series of revolvingslotted disks (c) upon a fixed neck' or stud (D) that each in turn shallbe made the means of adjusting the slot of the other 3. I claim themethod herein described of when operated upon by another disk ordiscovering the proper numbers to open the its equivalent secured to arevolving shaft lock substantially as specified.

(F) and index (G) for the purposes de- In testimony whereof I havehereunto set 5 scribed. my hand.

2. I claim alterino' the respective numbers of two or all the daisks(c), by the simple WILLIAM H AKINS change of an adjustable clutch fromone IVitnesses: hole to another, substantially as and for the ALFREDBIKER,

10 purposes described. P. I-IANNY.

[FIRST PRINTED 1912.]

